noun
palindrome
PAL-in-drohm
Palindrome (noun) means a word, phrase, number or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards, ignoring spaces, punctuation and capital letters. Example: “Racecar, kayak and level are the palindromes everyone learns first.”
noun
1
A word, phrase, number or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards, ignoring spaces, punctuation and capital letters.
"Racecar, kayak and level are the palindromes everyone learns first."
"'A man, a plan, a canal: Panama' is the most famous palindrome in English."
2
In genetics, a stretch of DNA whose sequence reads the same on both strands in the same direction, often marking a site where restriction enzymes cut.
"The enzyme recognises a six-base palindrome and cuts between the middle pair."
How to use palindrome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA word or phrase that is the same read forwards or backwards.
When to use it
Neutral; common in puzzles, wordplay and school English.
Memory tip
The adjective is palindromic, as in a palindromic number such as 12321.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
palindrome date
a perfect palindrome
palindromic number
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Fill the gap
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Racecar, kayak and level are the _____ everyone learns first.
Etymology
From Greek palindromos 'running back again', from palin 'again, back' and dromos 'a running'.
Rhymes for palindrome
See all rhymes for palindrome →Frequently asked questions
What is the longest palindrome word in English?
In standard dictionaries it is usually given as 'detartrated' or the informal 'tattarrattat', coined by Joyce for a knock at the door. Among common everyday words 'racecar', 'redivider' and 'rotator' are the usual contenders.
Do palindromes count spaces and punctuation?
Conventionally no. A phrase counts as a palindrome if the letters alone read the same in both directions, which is why 'Never odd or even' and 'Madam, I'm Adam' qualify.
What is the difference between a palindrome and an anagram?
A palindrome reads identically backwards, keeping the letters in place. An anagram rearranges all the letters of a word or phrase to make a different one, as 'listen' becomes 'silent'.
What is the meaning of palindrome?
"palindrome" (noun) means a word, phrase, number or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards, ignoring spaces, punctuation and capital letters.
